From Inquirer reporter Joseph Gambardello:
Electricians union leader John J. Dougherty today picked up the endorsement of the Philadelphia Tribune in the Democratic primary for State Senator Vincent Fumo’s seat.
In announcing its support for Dougherty, the nation’s oldest African-American newspaper noted that it had been critical of Dougherty in the past on racial inclusion in his union and refusal to dislose the number of minorities in his local.
“For many readers, this will be a surprising choice,” the editorial said.
Still, the paper said, Dougherty has promised to increase the minority presence in his union and during his campaign has “made an effort to reach out to African Americans, particularly in the Point Breeze section of his district where many residents say they have been neglected for years.”
The paper also noted that Dougherty had won the support of some African American leaders, includings state Sen. Anthony Williams and Sheriff John Green.
“As an elected official, Dougherty can be held even more accountable for his actions than as a labor leader and we plan to do just that, the Tribune said.
Dougherty’s two opponents – Larry Farnese and Anne Dicker – have received the endorsements of the Inquirer and Daily News, respectively.
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